Bernal named to Crain's list of notable DEI leaders

Jesse Bernal, chief of staff to the president and vice president for Inclusion and Equity, was among the people named to the Crain's Grand Rapids Business list of "Notable Leaders in DEI."

Twenty-four business, nonprofit and educational leaders were selected through a nomination and application process for their efforts in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion at their workplaces.

President Philomena V. Mantella called Bernal "the standard bearer for educational equity."

"His expertise and leadership have helped propel Grand Valley to becoming a national model for equity and inclusion in higher education by implementing and innovating evidenced-based best practices and responding to regional and national trends," Mantella said.

Bernal joined Grand Valley in 2015 and has been an active member of the National Association of Chief Diversity Officers in Higher Education, Excelencia in Education and the President’s Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration. 

In 2018, he was appointed to the Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan and reappointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2022. In 2022, he was appointed to the City of Grand Rapids Community Relations Committee. He serves on several area nonprofit boards and advisory committees including the Grand Rapids Cesar Chavez Committee, Grand Rapids Public Museum and YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids.